Baca nephew is subject of LA inmate abuse probe

LOS ANGELES—A deputy who is a nephew of Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca is the subject of a criminal investigation into whether he abused an inmate.

The Los Angeles Times reports ( http://lat.ms/WzRl6X) 32-year-old Justin Bravo has been relieved of duty with pay in connection with the incident, which investigators say was caught on tape.

The newspaper says Bravo became a deputy through a little-known program called "Friends of the Sheriff," a screening process for applicants with connections to department officials. Bravo was hired despite several brushes with the law, including alleged involvement in a fight with San Diego police and arrests on suspicion of drunk driving and burglary.

Sources tell the Times that FBI agents investigating abuse at LA jails are also inquiring about Bravo.